Publications

The following manuscripts have been published or are currently in press. Listings are in chronological order, unless otherwise noted.

Research Publication 2
Title Publication Date/Location
Risk Factors Associated with Miscarriage and Impaired Fecundity Among United States Servicewomen During the Recent Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan Women's Health Issues 2017 Feb;27(3):356-365

Ippolito AC, Seelig AD, Powell TM, Conlin AMS, Crum-Cianflone NF, Lemus H, Sevick CS, LeardMann CA

Among Servicewomen aged 18-45 years, 31% reported a miscarriage and 11% reported impaired fecundity (infertility) during a 3-year study period. Findings suggest that deployments in support of the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan do not increase the risk for miscarriage and infertility among U.S. Servicewomen. More research is needed to better understand whether specific combat experiences or environmental exposures encountered during deployments increase the risk for adverse reproductive health outcomes.

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Combat Deployment is Associated with Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault in a Large, Female Military Cohort Women's Health Issues 2013 Jul-Aug;23(4):e215-23

LeardMann CA, Pietrucha A, Magruder KM, Smith B, Murdoch M, Jacobson IG, Ryan MAK, Gackstetter G, Smith TC, for the Millennium Cohort Study Team

Among female service members, the 3-year cumulative incidence of sexual harassment was 9.4% and sexual assault was 2.1%. Significant risk factors for sexual trauma included prior deployment with combat experience, serving as a Marine, younger age, recent marital separation or divorce, positive screen for a prior mental health condition, moderate/severe life stress, and prior sexual trauma experiences. Understanding the factors associated with sexual harassment and assault can inform future policy and prevention efforts in order to eliminate sexual trauma.

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Risk Factors for Lower Extremity Tendinopathies in Military Personnel The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2013 Jan-Jun;1(1) 2325967113492707

Owens BD, Wolf JM, Seelig AD, Jacobson IG, Boyko EJ, Smith B, Ryan MAK, Gackstetter GD, Smith TC

This study found that deployment was associated with the development of plantar fasciitis. Modifiable risk factors including being overweight or obese were associated with both Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis, with a marginal relationship between moderate alcohol use and Achilles tendinopathy. Identification of potential risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries among service members could serve as the focus for future prevention and intervention efforts.

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The Association of Predeployment and Deployment-Related Factors on Dimensions of Postdeployment Wellness in US Military Service Members The American Journal of Health Promotion 2013;28:2, 56-66

Bagnell ME, LeardMann CA, McMaster HS, Boyko EJ, Smith B, Granado, NS, and Smith TC

This study found that the majority of participants were well post-deployment, and military factors associated with post-deployment wellness included not experiencing combat and being trained as a combat specialist. Modifiable factors significantly associated with post-deployment wellness were also detected, including normal BMI, not smoking, and being physically active.

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Longitudinal Assessment of Self-Reported Recent Back Pain and Combat Deployment in the Millennium Cohort Study Spine 2016;41:1754–1763

Granado NS, Pietrucha A, Ryan M, Boyko EJ, Hooper TI, Smith B, Smith TC

Among military personnel, back pain is among the most frequent reasons for medical visits and lost duty time, and has been associated with pain-related disability. This study found that 15.5% of participants reported recent back pain at follow-up. Our study confirmed the high burden of this condition in the military, showing that deployers with combat experiences had a 38% higher odds of reporting back pain at follow-up, and 27% higher odds of repeated back pain, compared with deployers without combat experiences. Additionally, exposures associated with a physically demanding work environment were related to a higher risk of back pain. This well-defined group of military personnel would potentially benefit from integrated prevention efforts focused on mitigating and eliminating back pain over time.

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Prevalence and predictors of insomnia and sleep medication use in a large tri-service U.S. military sample Sleep Health 2021 Dec;7(6):675-682

Markwald RR, Carey FR, Kolaja CA, Jacobson IG, Cooper AD, Chinoy ED

Several deployment-related characteristics were significantly associated with the development of insomnia and/or newly-reported sleep medication use, and more than half of the sample with insomnia reported using sleep medication, indicating a high rate of medicating for insomnia. These findings may indicate an underlying systematic issue related to the inability to obtain adequate sleep in military personnel

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The bi-directional relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and obstructive sleep apnea and/or insomnia in a large U.S. military cohort Sleep Health 2022 December; 8(6):606-614 | doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2022.07.005

Chinoy ED, Carey FR, Kolaja CA, Jacobson IG, Cooper AD, Markwald RR

Study findings indicate a bi-directional relationship between the development of sleep disorders and PTSD. Military-related factors associated with new onset PTSD or sleep disorders, such as combat deployment, recent military separation, and rank, should be considered in prevention efforts for sleep disorders and PTSD.

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Predeployment Sleep Duration and Insomnia Symptoms as Risk Factors for New-Onset Mental Health Disorders Following Military Deployment Sleep 2013 Jul 1;36(7):1009-1018

Gehrman P, Seelig AD, Jacobson IG, Boyko EJ, Hooper TI, Gackstetter GD, Ulmer CS, Smith TC

This study showed that combat-related trauma and predeployment insomnia symptoms were significantly associated with developing posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety following deployment. Assessment of insomnia symptoms predeployment may help to better identify those at highest risk for subsequent adverse mental health outcomes.

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Sleep and Health Resilience Metrics in a Large Military Cohort Sleep 2016 May;39(5):1111-1120

Seelig AD, Jacobson IG, Donoho CJ, Trone DW, Crum-Cianflone NF, Balkin TJ

The presence of insomnia symptoms was significantly associated with worse self-rated health, more lost work days, lower odds of deployment, higher odds of leaving military service early, and more health care utilization, after adjustment for demographic, military, behavioral and other health covariates. Findings were similar for those reporting less than 6 hours of sleep per night. Future research should focus on the efficacy of interventions to promote healthy sleep in military populations.

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Sleep Patterns Before, During, and After Deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan Sleep 2010 Dec;33(12):1615-22

Seelig AD, Jacobson IG, Smith B, Hooper TI, Boyko EJ, Gackstetter GD, Gehrman PR, Macera CA, Smith TC, for the Millennium Cohort Study Team

Participants reported having trouble sleeping and getting less sleep either during deployment or after returning home from deployment more than nondeployed participants. Self-reported combat exposures and mental health symptoms were independently associated with increased reporting of trouble sleeping.

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